1 Corinthians 7:28
But if you do marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
But if you do marry
The phrase begins with "But," indicating a contrast or exception to the previous advice given by Paul. The Greek word for "marry" here is "γαμέω" (gameō), which means to wed or to take a spouse. In the historical context of Corinth, marriage was a common social expectation, yet Paul acknowledges that choosing to marry is not inherently sinful. This reflects the freedom and grace found in Christian living, where personal decisions are respected within the bounds of God's moral law.

you have not sinned
Paul reassures the Corinthians that marriage is not a sin. The Greek word for "sinned" is "ἁμαρτάνω" (hamartanō), meaning to miss the mark or to err. This is significant because it underscores the sanctity and legitimacy of marriage as ordained by God. In a society where various philosophical and religious views might have cast doubt on the value of marriage, Paul affirms its righteousness.

and if a virgin marries
The term "virgin" translates from the Greek "παρθένος" (parthenos), referring to an unmarried woman, often implying purity and youth. In the cultural context, a virgin marrying was a normative expectation, yet Paul emphasizes that her choice to marry is also free from sin. This highlights the personal agency and dignity afforded to individuals in their life choices within the Christian faith.

she has not sinned
Reiterating the absence of sin in marriage, Paul uses the same Greek term "ἁμαρτάνω" (hamartanō). This repetition serves to reinforce the message that marriage, for both men and women, is a holy and honorable estate. It dispels any notion that celibacy is the only path to holiness, affirming the goodness of God's creation and the institution of marriage.

But those who marry will face troubles in this life
Here, Paul introduces a pragmatic perspective on marriage. The Greek word for "troubles" is "θλῖψις" (thlipsis), meaning pressure or affliction. This acknowledges the realistic challenges and responsibilities that come with marriage. In the historical context, these could include economic pressures, familial obligations, and societal expectations. Paul’s pastoral concern is evident as he seeks to prepare believers for the realities of married life.

and I want to spare you this
Paul's desire to "spare" the Corinthians reflects his pastoral heart. The Greek word "φείδομαι" (pheidomai) means to refrain or to spare. Paul is not discouraging marriage but is offering a compassionate warning about the potential difficulties it entails. His intention is to guide the Corinthians towards a life of devotion and service to God, whether married or single, without unnecessary burdens.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth with guidance on marriage and singleness.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and moral challenges, where the early Christian church faced various issues.

3. The Corinthian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, dealing with questions about marriage, celibacy, and Christian living.

4. Married Couples
Those who have entered into the covenant of marriage, facing unique challenges and responsibilities.

5. Virgins
In this context, referring to unmarried individuals, particularly those who have not engaged in sexual relations.
Teaching Points
Marriage is Honorable but Challenging
Paul affirms that marriage is not sinful, yet he acknowledges the inherent challenges it brings. Christians should enter marriage with a realistic understanding of its demands and potential difficulties.

Singleness as a Gift
Singleness is presented as a viable and honorable state, allowing for undivided devotion to the Lord. Those who are single should view their status as an opportunity for focused service.

Preparation for Marital Challenges
Couples should prepare for the inevitable trials of marriage by grounding their relationship in faith, prayer, and mutual support, seeking God's guidance in all aspects.

Balancing Earthly and Spiritual Responsibilities
Married believers are called to balance their earthly responsibilities with their spiritual commitments, ensuring that their relationship with God remains a priority.

Seeking Godly Counsel
Whether single or married, Christians should seek wisdom and guidance from Scripture and mature believers to navigate their relational and spiritual journeys.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Paul's acknowledgment of marital challenges in 1 Corinthians 7:28 influence your perspective on marriage?

2. In what ways can single Christians maximize their current season for spiritual growth and service, according to Paul's teachings?

3. How can married couples effectively prepare for and address the "troubles" Paul mentions, using biblical principles?

4. What are some practical ways to maintain a balance between marital responsibilities and spiritual commitments?

5. How can the church support both single and married individuals in their unique challenges and opportunities, based on the teachings of 1 Corinthians 7?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 2:24
This verse establishes the foundational principle of marriage as a union ordained by God, which Paul acknowledges as not sinful.

Matthew 19:4-6
Jesus' teaching on marriage highlights its divine origin and the permanence of the marital bond, which aligns with Paul's view of marriage as honorable.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35
Paul further elaborates on the advantages of singleness in serving the Lord without distraction, providing context to his advice in 7:28.

Ephesians 5:22-33
This passage describes the roles and responsibilities within marriage, emphasizing love and mutual submission, which can be sources of both joy and challenge.
Celibacy and MarriageE. Hurndall 1 Corinthians 7:1, 2, 7-9, 25-35
Mixed MarriagesC. Lipscomb 1 Corinthians 7:12-28
Concerning Virgins and WidowsH. Bremner, B. D.1 Corinthians 7:25-40
Concerning Virgins and WidowsH. Bremner 1 Corinthians 7:25-40
How to Give AdviceJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 7:25-40
How to Judge in Difficult MattersJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 7:25-40
Works of Supererogation and Counsels of PerfectionPrincipal Edwards.1 Corinthians 7:25-40
People
Corinthians, Paul
Places
Corinth
Topics
Face, Flesh, Gets, Girl, Hast, However, Maiden, Married, Marries, Marry, Mayest, Nevertheless, Oppression, Outward, Shouldest, Sin, Sinned, Spare, Sparing, Tribulation, Trouble, Troubles, Trying, Unmarried, Virgin, Worldly, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 7:24-38

     5736   singleness

1 Corinthians 7:25-28

     5740   virgin

1 Corinthians 7:27-28

     5677   divorce, among believers

Library
Forms Versus Character
'Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.'--1 COR. vii. 19. 'For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love.'--GAL. v. 6. 'For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.'--GAL. vi. 16 (R.V.). The great controversy which embittered so much of Paul's life, and marred so much of his activity, turned upon the question whether a heathen man could come
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Slaves and Free
'He that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's free man: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.'--1 COR. vii. 22. This remarkable saying occurs in a remarkable connection, and is used for a remarkable purpose. The Apostle has been laying down the principle, that the effect of true Christianity is greatly to diminish the importance of outward circumstance. And on that principle he bases an advice, dead in the teeth of all the maxims recognised by worldly
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Christian Life
'Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.'--1 COR. vii. 24. You find that three times within the compass of a very few verses this injunction is repeated. 'As God hath distributed to every man,' says the Apostle in the seventeenth verse, 'as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches.' Then again in the twentieth verse, 'Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he is called.' And then finally in our text. The reason for
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Marriage and Celibacy.
Preached January II, 1852. MARRIAGE AND CELIBACY. "But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth that both they that have wives be as though they had none; and they that weep as though they wept not; and they that rejoice as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away."--1 Corinthians vii. 29-31. The subject of our exposition last Sunday was an essential portion
Frederick W. Robertson—Sermons Preached at Brighton

A Drama in Five Acts
Dear brethren, the important lesson which we endeavor to teach this morning is just this--that because time is so short, and the things of this world so frail and fleeting, it becomes us always to look at the things which are seen in their true character, and never to build substantial hopes on unsubstantial comforts, nor seek for solid joy from unreal things. In order that I may make this matter very plain, and may be the more likely to enlist your attention, and to secure the friendship of your
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 8: 1863

How to Use the Present Life, and the Comforts of It.
The divisions of this chapter are,--I. The necessity and usefulness of this doctrine. Extremes to be avoided, if we would rightly use the present life and its comforts, sec. 1, 2. II. One of these extremes, viz, the intemperance of the flesh, to be carefully avoided. Four methods of doing so described in order, sec. 3-6. 1. BY such rudiments we are at the same time well instructed by Scripture in the proper use of earthly blessings, a subject which, in forming a scheme of life, is by no mean to be
Archpriest John Iliytch Sergieff—On the Christian Life

Family Religion.
"Lo! where yon cottage whitens through the green, The loveliest feature of a matchless scene; Beneath its shading elm, with pious fear, An aged mother draws her children near, While from the Holy Word, with earnest air, She teaches them the privilege of prayer. Look! how their infant eyes with rapture speak; Mark the flushed lily on the dimpled cheek; Their hearts are filled with gratitude and love, Their hopes are centered in a world above!" The Christian home demands a family religion. This makes
Samuel Philips—The Christian Home

The Apostolic Scriptures.
"And I think that I also have the Spirit of God."--1 Cor. vii. 40. We have seen that the apostolate has an extraordinary significance and occupies a unique position. This position is twofold, viz., temporary, with reference to the founding of the first churches, and permanent, with regard to the churches of all ages. The first must necessarily be temporary, for what was then accomplished can not be repeated. A tree can be planted only once; an organism can be born only once; the planting or founding
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

It Is, Therefore, the Present Necessity that we are to Avoid...
14. It is, therefore, the present necessity that we are to avoid, but yet such as is a hindrance to somewhat of the good things to come; by which necessity the married life is forced to have thought of the things of the world, how to please, the husband the wife or the wife the husband. Not that these separate from the kingdom of God, as there are sins, which are restrained by command, not by counsel, on this account, because it is matter of condemnation not to obey the Lord when He commands: but
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

But Lest any Should Think that of Two Works...
19. But lest any should think that of two works, the good and the better, the rewards will be equal, on this account it was necessary to treat against those, who have so interpreted that saying of the Apostle, "But I think that this is good by reason of the present necessity," [2056] as to say that virginity is of use not in order to the kingdom of heaven, but in order to this present time: as though in that eternal life, they, who had chosen this better part, would have nothing more than the rest
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

After that the Same Apostle Adds, and Says...
15. After that the same Apostle adds, and says, "Thou art bound to a wife, seek not loosening: thou art loosed from a wife, seek not a wife." [2050] Of these two, that, which be set first, pertains unto command, against which it is not lawful to do. For it is not lawful to put away a wife, save because of fornication, [2051] as the Lord Himself saith in the Gospel. But that, which he added, "Thou art loosed from a wife, seek not a wife," is a sentence of counsel, not of command; therefore it is lawful
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Yet He Added, "But Such Shall have Tribulation of the Flesh...
16. Yet he added, "But such shall have tribulation of the flesh, but I spare you:" [2053] in this manner exhorting unto virginity, and continual continence, so as some little to alarm also from marriage, with all modesty, not as from a matter evil and unlawful, but as from one burdensome and troublesome. For it is one thing to incur dishonor of the flesh, and another to have tribulation of the flesh: the one is matter of crime to do, the other of labor to suffer, which for the most part men refuse
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Far be It, Therefore, that the Apostle So Said...
20. Far be it, therefore, that the Apostle so said, unto such as are married or are about to marry, "But I spare you," as if he were unwilling to say what punishment is due to the married in another life. Far be it that she, whom Daniel set free from temporal judgment, be cast by Paul into hell! Far be it that her husband's bed be unto her punishment before the judgment seat of Christ, keeping faith to which she chose, under false charge of adultery, to meet either danger, or death! To what effect
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

For not Even Herein Ought Such as are Married to Compare Themselves with The...
10. For not even herein ought such as are married to compare themselves with the deserts of the continent, in that of them virgins are born: for this is not a good of marriage, but of nature: which was so ordered of God, as that of every sexual intercourse whatever of the two sexes of human kind, whether in due order and honest, or base and unlawful, there is born no female save a virgin, yet is none born a sacred virgin: so it is brought to pass that a virgin is born even of fornication, but a sacred
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Here Some one Will Say, what Has this to do with Holy virginity...
21. Here some one will say, What has this to do with holy virginity, or perpetual continence, the setting forth of which was undertaken in this discourse? To whom I make answer in the first place, what I mentioned above, that the glory of that greater good is greater from the fact that, in order to obtain it, the good of married life is surmounted, not the sin of marriage shunned. Otherwise it would be enough for perpetual continence, not to be specially praised, but only not to be blamed: if it
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Let Marriages Possess their Own Good, not that they Beget Sons...
12. Let marriages possess their own good, not that they beget sons, but that honestly, that lawfully, that modestly, that in a spirit of fellowship they beget them, and educate them, after they have been begotten, with cooperation, with wholesome teaching, and earnest purpose: in that they keep the faith of the couch one with another; in that they violate not the sacrament of wedlock. All these, however, are offices of human duty: but virginal chastity and freedom through pious continence from all
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

And Now by Plainest Witnesses of Divine Scriptures...
22. And now by plainest witnesses of divine Scriptures, such as according to the small measure of our memory we shall be able to remember, let it more clearly appear, that, not on account of the present life of this world, but on account of that future life which is promised in the kingdom of heaven, we are to choose perpetual continence. But who but must observe this in that which the same Apostle says a little after, "Whoso is without a wife has thought of the things of the Lord, how to please
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

And not Without Just Cause a Doubt is Raised...
14. And not without just cause a doubt is raised, whether he said this of all married women, or of such as so many are, as that nearly all may be thought so to be. For neither doth that, which he saith of unmarried women, "She, that is unmarried, thinkest of the things of the Lord, to be holy both in body and spirit:" [1973] pertain unto all unmarried women: whereas there are certain widows who are dead, who live in delights. However, so far as regards a certain distinction and, as it were, character
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

And yet not to These Themselves is Marriage a Sin...
11. And yet not to these themselves is marriage a sin; which, if it were chosen in comparison of fornication, would be a less sin than fornication, and yet would be a sin. But now what shall we say against the most plain speech of the Apostle, saying, "Let her do what she will; she sinneth not, if she be married;" [1966] and, "If thou shalt have taken a wife, thou hast not sinned: and, if a virgin shall have been married, she sinneth not." [1967] Hence surely it is not lawful now to doubt that marriage
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

There is this Further, that in that Very Debt which Married Persons Pay One...
4. There is this further, that in that very debt which married persons pay one to another, even if they demand it with somewhat too great intemperance and incontinence, yet they owe faith alike one to another. Unto which faith the Apostle allows so great right, as to call it "power," saying, "The woman hath not power of her own body, but the man; again in like manner also the man hath not power of his own body, but the woman." [1943] But the violation of this faith is called adultery, when either
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

Further, in the Very Case of the More Immoderate Requirement of the Due Of...
6. Further, in the very case of the more immoderate requirement of the due of the flesh, which the Apostle enjoins not on them by way of command, but allows to them by way of leave, that they have intercourse also beside the cause of begetting children; although evil habits impel them to such intercourse, yet marriage guards them from adultery or fornication. For neither is that committed because of marriage, but is pardoned because of marriage. Therefore married persons owe one another not only
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

Therefore the Good of Marriage Throughout all Nations and all Men Stands in The...
32. Therefore the good of marriage throughout all nations and all men stands in the occasion of begetting, and faith of chastity: but, so far as pertains unto the People of God, also in the sanctity of the Sacrament, by reason of which it is unlawful for one who leaves her husband, even when she has been put away, to be married to another, so long as her husband lives, no not even for the sake of bearing children: and, whereas this is the alone cause, wherefore marriage takes place, not even where
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

Therefore as Many Women as There are Now...
19. Therefore as many women as there are now, unto whom it is said, "if they contain not, let them be married, [1986] ^" are not to be compared to the holy women then, even when they married. Marriage itself indeed in all nations is for the same cause of begetting sons, and of what character soever these may be afterward, yet was marriage for this purpose instituted, that they may be born in due and honest order. But men, who contain not, as it were ascend unto marriage by a step of honesty: but
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

But I Marvel, If, as it is Allowed to Put Away a Wife Who...
7. But I marvel, if, as it is allowed to put away a wife who is an adulteress, so it be allowed, having put her away, to marry another. For holy Scripture causes a hard knot in this matter, in that the Apostle says, that, by commandment of the Lord, the wife ought not to depart from her husband, but, in case she shall have departed, to remain unmarried, or to be reconciled to her husband; [1950] whereas surely she ought not to depart and remain unmarried, save from an husband that is an adulterer,
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

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